Dad should’ve been here: Mohammed Siraj recalls receiving his Test debut cap

Mohammed Siraj’s career has been a rollercoaster ride. From being an unknown to spearheading the national side in a matter of a few days to facing racial slurs in a foreign country, the boy from Hyderabad has seen a lot of adulation and criticism come his way in his short career.

Siraj, who was crucial to India lifting the Boarder-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 in Australia, recalled him thinking about his late father while getting the debut cap at Melbourne.

According to news18, Siraj said, “I finally got an opportunity in the second Test… When I wore my cap in Melbourne, I thought, ‘dad should’ve been here. After Mohammed Shami got injured, I got a chance to play for India.

One thing was there in my mind that I had performed well for India A and had scalped 8 wickets against Australia A. So, it gave me the confidence to do well in my first Test series for India.”

Siraj spoke about his personal struggles while away from his family, having lost his father after reaching Australia.

“It was really tough for me. My dad was ill during the IPL too. But family members hadn’t told me that the matter was serious. I got to know about his condition when I landed in Australia.

There was Covid-19 protocol as well. We had to quarantine. When we had our practice, I got to know about dad’s death. My mother made me strong during that period. She told me, ‘Fulfil your dad’s dream and make your country proud. This was my only motivation. I didn’t even know if I will get a chance to play. There were senior bowlers in the team," he added.

Siraj was India’s highest wicket-taker in the series with 13 wickets, including a five-wicket haul at The Gabba.

Siraj, who had a poor Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), will look to find his peak form ahead of the one-off Test against England come July 1.

He picked up 14 wickets during India's 2021 tour of England, which the visitors lead by 2-1. The one-off Test is the rescheduled fifth Test from that series.